Winter Weather — Northern Bristol, Massachusetts

2020-10-30 · Northern Bristol, Massachusetts

Event narrative

Snowfall in northern Bristol County ranged from 3.0 inches in Mansfield to 4.3 inches in Rehoboth and 4.4 inches in North Dighton. The NWS Office in Norton, MA measured 3.7 inches. The snow was very wet in consistency. In Norton at 1040 AM EDT, a large branch was down on Plain Street, due to the weight of the snow. In Easton at 1125 AM EDT, a tree and wires were down on Turnpike Street at the Raynham line due to the weight of the snow. In Rehoboth at 210 PM EDT, amateur radio operators received a report of trees and wires downed, but the street was unknown.

Wider weather episode

Immediately after winds and rainfall associated with post-tropical cyclone Zeta (which passed well to our southeast) diminished, a new system approached. This was a rapidly moving upper level low and its associated upper jet max, which moved northeastward from the Mississippi Valley and low pressure again passed to the south of New England. Cold air was streaming into the region from the north. The result was some heavy, wet snow across the region, with many areas receiving 3 to 6 inches. The weight of the snow caused scattered tree and power line damage.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 920957. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.